Typhoon kills 20

Typhoon kills 20

tokyo

Typhoon Talas dumped record amounts of rain Sunday in western and central Japan, killing at least 20 people and stranding thousands more as it turned towns into lakes, washed away cars and triggered mudslides that obliterated houses. At least 50 people were missing, news media reported.

Evacuation orders and advisories were issued to 460,000 people.

Feds warn of small plane terror threats

washington

The FBI and Homeland Security have issued a nationwide warning about al-Qaida threats to small airplanes, just days before the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Authorities say there is no specific or credible terrorist threat for the 10-year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. But they have stepped up security nationwide as a precaution.

According to a five-page law-enforcement bulletin issued Friday, as recently as early this year, al-Qaida was considering ways to attack airplanes.

Violence in Syria

beirut

Syria saw a wave of violence and arrests Sunday as the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross visited Damascus to address issues including caring for the wounded and access to detainees during the government’s crackdown on a 5-month-old uprising.

The state-run news agency reported that nine people were killed in central Syria in an ambush by armed groups in central Syria. The report, which could not be confirmed, said the victims were six soldiers and three civilians.

Katia strengthens to Category 2 storm

miami

The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Katia has strengthened to a Category 2 storm in the open Atlantic.

There are still no watches and warnings in effect, and it’s too soon to know if it will threaten land. Forecasters warned that Bermuda could begin seeing strong surf and rip currents this week.

Forecasters expect Katia to strengthen further and said it could be a major hurricane by today.

Strauss-Kahn returns to France

paris

The last time he boarded a flight for Paris, Dominique Strauss-Kahn was on the verge of announcing his candidacy for president, and in some quarters his victory was considered certain.

Four months after being dragged off that plane in New York to answer accusations that he attempted to rape a hotel chambermaid, the former IMF chief arrived in Paris on Sunday to a gaggle of reporters that would be the envy of any politician on the campaign trail.

But a poll and analysts indicate that his politicking days are over, for now.

Strauss-Kahn touched down Sunday just over a week after New York prosecutors dropped the charges because of concerns about the maid’s credibility. He was met with a mixed welcome.

Plane skids off runway in Ottawa

ottawa, ontario

Authorities say a United Express plane carrying 44 people has skidded off the runway at Ottawa International Airport.

Emergency and airport officials said Sunday all the passengers traveling from Chicago got off the plane safely and were taken into the terminal on city buses.

Airport spokeswoman Krista Kealey said there were no injuries and everyone is fine.

Associated Press